Mindanao Summer Get Away

Misamis Oriental – Bukidnon - Davao Road Trip

Every year our high school batch will organize an annual reunion either a homecoming party  or a roadtrip or a group tour. Our favorite is the combination of both.  So one summer  our group decided to go on a 3-day group tour to Mindanao specifically Cagayan de Oro City and Davao City, where some of our high school classmates presently resides.

Day 1

We arrive in Cagayan de Oro City, known as the” City of Golden Friendship” at about 6:00 AM Saturday (we came from Tagbilaran City, Bohol) via  Trans Asia Shipping Lines, its just an overnight sea travel, we left Bohol at 7:00 PM Friday night, we were met by our hired private van,  we check in at our downtown budget hotel,  freshen  up and ate our breakfast.  Without wasting our time we started our first list on our itinerary which is the Divine Mercy Shrine in El Salvador, Misamis Oriental.    

Divine Mercy Shrine, El Salvador, Misamis Oriental

Divine Mercy Shrine is a Catholic pilgrimage site for the Divine Mercy devotees. It is located at the Divine Mercy Hills, El Salvador, Misamis Oriental.  It   features a 50-feet statue of the Divine Mercy Jesus, the tallest of its kind not just in the Philippines but in the whole world.  The place is a  sacred site, visitors are not allowed to wear revealing attire and shorts. Those who do so will be forced to cover themselves with a blue cloth provided by the shrine administrators free of charge. The statue and its parks have become a major tourist attraction in the area, drawing devotees and tourists alike.

the 50 foot statue of the Divine Mercy

our groupix

The Divine Mercy Shrine is also a site for a number of mysterious  events wherein more than 15,000 devotees witnessed the miracle of the dancing sun in April 2013, where the sun repeatedly increased and decreased in size as it moved up the horizon during sunrise. The first time it happened was  in  2003, then in April 2009 wherein the same thing happened, it was during the dawn mass of the Feast of the Divine Mercy.

Another mysterious event happened during the 2013 Feast of the Divine Mercy wherein the eyes of the Divine Mercy statue appeared to look down or were closed. You can really feel the solemnity at the hilltop.

Ma Cristina Falls, NPC Nature’s Park

Ma Cristina Falls is a known landmark in Iligan City which is  an hour and a half ride from Cagayan de Oro City.  It is located 9.3 km. southwest of Iligan City in the boundaries of Barangay Maria Cristina, Ditucalan and Buru-an.  It is operated by the National Power Corporation because of the hydroelectric plant  that supplies Iligan City’s power.

  

Ma Cristina falls is the second highest falls in the Philippines, It is a 320- feet high waterfall.  All of us went up to the viewing deck and we were amazed with the beautiful view of the falls.

entrance to the falls

the falls in the background

Dahilayan Forest Park, Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon

Dahilayan Forest Adventure Park  which is one of the finest resorts  in Bukidnon is 55 km. off Cagayan de Oro City  or a 1.5 hour drive. Located in Barangay Dahilayan, Bukidnon,  here you can enjoy  ziplines, go carts,  horse backriding, ATVs   and other extreme activities. Surrounded by green scenery, a beautiful  flower  park  and gardens  lined with tall pine trees. They have the Pinegroove Café also where you can take your refreshments like freshly brewed coffee and  home baked breads and pastries. They also offer nice accommodations if you want to stay for a few days.

Day 2

An early morning road trip to Davao City via the Butuan-Davao Highway or BUDA begun. This will be  a 285 Km drive, so estimated time of arrival to Davao City is  5-7 hours depending on speed and stops.  We were expecting to see a beautiful scenery  and cool breezy  temperature along the way as what people have said.

Our starting point was  from  Cagayan de Oro City and making quick stops on any tourist destination we can pass through. Our first stop  was Camp Philips, Del Monte Pineapple Plantation in Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon

Camp Philips is a 45 minute drive from Cagayan de Oro City. At the entrance of Camp Philips you will be greeted by the big pineapple statue where you can take your pictures. The Camp is open to the public, you are free to get in  to see the vast pineapple plantation.  They have a variety of pineapple products like fresh fruits, pineapple jam, pineapple juice and other pineapple products sold at their Souvenir shop. Adjacent is the Camp Philips Golf and Country Club where we had our lunch at their Club resto.

the big pineapple

Next was  the Monastery of Transfiguration, located on a hill in Barangay San Jose, Malaybalay, Bukidnon, a famous landmark where visitors  can attend mass and  buy some of the  Monks’ native delicacies and other products on display at the grounds. Next we stop by the Provincial Capitol area with those nicely landscaped surroundings, tall trees and very cool temperature.

Monastery of Transfiguration

Moving on, we reached the municipality of Malaybalay, Bukidnon. We had a short stop just to take some pictures because the view around their municipal hall compound is amazing. Surrounded by trees and beautifully landscaped grounds with beautiful flowers around.

Malaybalay Municipal Hall

The  nicely landscaped surroundings of the government offices in Malaybalay

Driving up on a  well maintained road on the mountainous terrain of Bukidnon  we can see  beautiful scenery  as you look at the amazing view of Bukidnon.  After a few  hours  drive  we  reached  Barangay Kipolot, , in the town of  Quezon, Bukidnon,  we stopped by  the Overview Nature and Culture Park.  You can’t miss it  since this area is along the highway. Travellers usually visit this spot after  long hours of driving because this also serves as a rest area. We need to go up  the  steps to go to the top and there you will see the fantastic view of Bukidnon. It’s a panoramic view of beautiful rolling hills and plains.  It’s just amazing!

the signage that you can't miss

some of the adornments you can see at the top

                                     

the view at the top

the beautiful panoramic view of Bukidnon

Hitting the road again, a few more hours drive we reached Davao City.  Before reaching our hotel we stopped by the Crocodile Farm. It was already late in the afternoon and a few more minutes before the park will close. But still we had the time to see around and watch some short bird show, the live crocodiles, beautiful birds in their cages, ostriches, mama and baby lion and other beautiful animals on display. Its worth visiting.

Day 3

Eden Nature Park  and Resort

We spent a day-tour at the Eden Nature Park. It is located in Barangay Toril, Davao City, which is about 45 minutes to 1 hour drive from the city.  It’s a man-made mountain  resort  where you can commune with nature and see their organic vegetable gardens, various tropical flora, surrounded by pine trees and carpet-like green grass. We had our lunch at their resort resto “the Mountain Hall” which offers freshly harvested organic and eco-friendly vegetables from their own gardens. After lunch the group availed of the  resort’s  guided shuttle tour around the resort stopping by Lola’s Garden,  the Flower Garden,  Mayumi’s wishing well, Rainbow pass, organic vegetable gardens, a cultural journey at the Tinubdan, a well spring of Mindanao culture and other spots around the area. Then we entertained ourselves with  their  Indiana Jones rope gliding zipline at the Vista park. There are more recreational activities you would like to try. They have horse back riding, hiking trail, skycycle,  skyrider, sky swing and a fishing village. A one-day stay is not enough to explore the park. They have accommodations like cottages if you want to stay for a few days. It’s a charming place to relax and bond with  your family and friends.

the carpet-like green grounds

this is the Lola's garden where you can find different kinds of flowers

Enjoying the Indiana Jones rope gliding at Vista Park

Organic vegetable farm

communing with nature

Mayumi's wishing well

Different kind of flora you can see around

Travelling is an enjoyable experience . Going on a tour with your group of friends and family  is so fun it keeps your stress away and since we are already in a not-so-young age it keeps our youth in us. So go travel while you can and enjoy life!